Amateur and Senior Hockey Leagues

exploring the past hockey leagues of north america

Amateur Hockey Leagues formed the basis of hockey as
we know it today. Starting with the Amateur Hockey
Association in 1893 we look at these leagues and their
history over time. In addition we look at the development
of the Senior Hockey Leagues throughout North America.

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Amateur Hockey Association of Canada
(1887-1898)

Most hockey historians trace the modern game back to the Amateur
Hockey Association of Canada (1887-1898). This league is also sometimes
referred to as the Dominion Hockey Association. Formed on December
8, 1886 by teams in Ottawa, Montreal and McGill University. The
league was formed and played under the rules of the times, including
no forwrd passing, seven players and a goaltender who had to remain
upright.

The season was played from January 1st to March 15th.
Scheduling of the league was done under one of two
systems over the years. The initial season was played
under a "challenge" system where no games
were scheduled but teams challenged the current league
champion. Games had to be played to defend the championship.

In the 1887 season this resulted in 7 official challenge
games being played with the Montreal Crystals finally
gaining the championship
on March 11th.

For it's second season the league moved to a "series" schedule,
where games were scheduled and the top team after the season was declared
the champion. Twelve season games were played in 1888. The result was a
tie and a championship game between the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association
and
the Victorias
to
determine
the
champion. From 1889 to 1892 the league reverted back to the challenge system.

In 1893 the league played for the Stanley Cup in a series format, but
had to defend it under a challenge system from other teams in Canada. This
sytem
with five teams playing in the league continued until the 1898-1899 season
when the league was changed to the
Canadian Amateur Hockey League.

During the time of the Amateur Hockey Association of Canda the Stanley Cup came
into play when it was donated by Govenor-General, Lord Stanley of Preston
in March 1982. A challenge cup was to be held each year to determine
the Champion of
the Dominion of Canada. The Stanley Cup was first
presented to the winner of the 1892-93 season which was Montreal AAA.

Year

Stanley Cup Champion

How Claimed

Challenge

1892-93

Montreal AAA

Champion of AHAC

None

1893-94

Montreal AAA

Champion of AHAC

None

1894-95

Montreal Victorias

Champion of ACAC

March 9, 1895: Montreal AAA beat Queen's University 5-1, allowing
Montreal Victorias as champions of ACAC to claim the Cup.